Are there any other options for Site A?

Moving the spar into the old library site would be more advantageous and may add space.

Further to my representation 15722, a small department store might be a good use of the site, somewhere to buy basic clothing for both men and women, and maybe also a deli counter. Now that the fish stall in East Street has closed there is nowhere to buy fresh fish so perhaps a fresh fish concession as well. The store could also stock "premium" cosmetic ranges. None of the above would impact on existing shops, Somerfield only stock pre-packed fish and deli items and Co-Op Chemist stocks basic range cosmetics.

Re: Rochford Town Centre Area Action Plan: Issues and Options

Thank you for consulting the Historic Environment Branch regarding the Rochford Town Centre Action Plan. Whilst this document mentions the historic environment, this principally relates to the built environment with no reference to the significance, potential survival or impacts the proposals would have upon any surviving below ground archaeological deposits. It is essential that this document includes reference to these important deposits as they form an essential part of the history of Rochford town and help provide a sense of place to the settlement.

To ensure that the historic environment is appropriately considered within this document the following changes are recommended (in bold):

1.7 Thirdly, Rochford Town Centre is a designated Conservation Area (Policy BC1 of the Rochford District Replacement Local Plan) and has a strong historic character and a number of cultural and heritage assets that are important to preserve or manage. Thus any development that takes place will need to be extremely carefully managed.

1.9 The focus for the AAP is the defined town centre boundary as illustrated on the current Local Plan Proposals Map. The historic heart of Rochford Town Centre is the Market Square.........

1.10 The town centre includes a high number listed buildings, sites of significant archaeological potential and it has a high intrinsic value.

1.14 Alongside the regional and local planning policy documents, there are a number of other documents (Rochford Futures Study; Annual Monitoring Report; Urban Capacity Study; Employment Land Study; Conservation Area Appraisal; Retail and Leisure Study, Rochford Historic Town Assessment) and Rochford Historic Environment Characterisation Project, that explore the issues that Rochford is facing. These documents have fed into this Area Action Plan and are also summarised in Appendix A.
(Additions for Appendix A Rochford Historic Town Assessment: Comprises an archaeological and historical assessment of Rochford, It forms part of the Essex Historic Towns Survey which is an extensive urban survey as defined by English Heritage).

2.7 Table 2: Character

Rochford's Town Centre is defined by its historic character. The built form is of a fine grain and relatively small, intimate and human scale. It has a very high intrinsic quality. The Market Square is at the historic heart of the town and surrounded, in the main, by attractive buildings looking onto it. The town has developed about a medieval cruciform pattern of streets, which come together at Horners Corner to the east of the Market Square.


2.15 For the purposes of this study a thorough understanding of the historic environment character is essential to understand the area's special qualities and the reasons why it has been designated as a Conservation Area. A full understanding will ensure that any solution is derived from these special qualities thereby enhancing its local distinctiveness. All of Rochford Town Centre is a Conservation Area, designated in 1969 and later extended. In 2007 Rochford District Council produced a Conservation Area Appraisal, which sets out and explains the special characteristics of the area. It is accompanied by a Management Plan that sets out measures to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area. The key elements of these documents will need to be reflected in any solutions brought forward.

2.16 Generally the special character of Rochford Town Centre is comprised of the interrelationship of the following elements:

• A well preserved historic medieval market town centred on a cross roads and market place
• A collection of historic buildings of high architectural quality many of which are listed
• A characteristic medieval and post medieval street plan comprising axial roads, infilled market, Back Lane and irregular frontages all of which illustrate the settlements medieval origins and high potential for surviving archaeological deposits.

Figure 3: Heritage and Conservation
This should include the extent of the historic core as identified in the Rochford HEC and Historic Environment Record

2.42 Table3 - Summary of Issues for Consideration in Rochford Town Centre

Conservation and Heritage

• Rochford Town Centre is a Conservation Area with a picturesque historic core and a collection of buildings of high historic and architectural quality, some are listed

• Rochford has a fine grain of development with intimate spaces of human scale, good enclosure which should be respected in any new development

• Any developments in the town centre will need to respond to this context having regard to the detailed analysis carried out in the Conservation Area Appraisal

• Any developments within the town centre and its immediate hinterland will need to fully consider the cultural assets and the high potential for the survival of significant archaeological deposits and the requirements for appropriate preservation or mitigation.

The following provide additional information for the issues which should be added to the appropriate sections where that option will involve the redevelopment of that area.

Option A Issues

Any development option for Site A will need to consider the potential for extensive urban archaeological deposits surviving within the area of the Market Place, and the impacts the development will have upon this resource.

Option B Issues

The full or part pedestrianisation of the Market Square, Site B, will need to consider the potential for extensive urban archaeological deposits surviving within the area and the impacts development will have upon this resource.

Option C Issues

Any development option for Site C will need to consider the potential for peripheral urban and industrial archaeological deposits surviving on the fringe of post-medieval Rochford and the potential impacts the development will have upon this resource.

Option D Issues

Any development option for Site D will need to consider the potential for urban archaeological deposits surviving within Historic core of Rochford and the impacts the development will have upon this resource.

Option E Issues

Any development option for Site E will need to consider the potential for peripheral urban and industrial archaeological deposits surviving on the fringe of post-medieval Rochford and the potential impacts the development will have upon this resource.

Option F Issues

Any development option for Site F will need to consider the potential for archaeological deposits surviving on the fringe of post-medieval Rochford and the potential impacts development will have upon this resource.

Option G & H Issues

Any development option for Sites G & H will need to consider the potential for peripheral urban archaeological deposits surviving outside the present built area of Rochford and the potential impacts development will have upon this resource.

Options J Issues

Any development option for Site J will need to consider the potential for peripheral archaeological deposits surviving outside the Historic core of Rochford and the potential impacts development will have upon this resource.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

The building is an eyesore but was, I remember, a "state of the art" development in the 60s. We now see the error. I suggest that because the buiding is home to a number of good business which may leave the Town if the building is demolished we should try to disguise the building as they did with a lot of the buildings in Rochford in Georgian times - Georgianise it to match Connaught House opposite.

Agree with Representations 15747 and 15711.

Oppose pedestrianisation of market square. The loss of this parking facility will have a negative impact on traders. Many people from surrounding villages stop off for essentials at the square if this parking was not available they would go elsewhere e.g tesco superstore.

I do not believe Rochford would embrace the proposed 'Café Culture' as we do not have the climate to allow us to sit outside to dine. Should the Square be permanently given over to pedestrians with café seating much of the year it would be empty as most people would not wish to sit out in the rain!

I would support the evening closure of the car park during the summer months evenings so that local pubs and restaurants could use the same for additional seating.

I would support the closure of the Square selected weekends for specialist markets.

Carparking 1) Back Lane car park is disconnected from the retail units; access to the shops is poor via dark ugly alleys and quite hazardous as you need to negotiate Back Lane and West Street not ideal when you have heavy shopping to carry. 2) The car park in Ship Lane again is disconnected from the hub of the shops. Ship Lane is dangerous for pedestrians as it has no footpath and you need to cross the busy North Street. 3) Car parking provided under the Co Op is of little value as it is difficult to find (poor signage) and it is hard for some motorist to negotiate this underground parking. 4) Those wishing to shop at the Co Op and some of the other local shops prefer to park in the square as it is difficult to walk from the underground car park to the main square retail outlets.

Bus Route and Taxi Ranks I believe it would be better to reroute the buses so that they no longer stop in West Street and would also like the taxi rank relocated to North Street. The buses and taxis cause much congestion in the narrow route via the Square.

Spar Building Support the removal of this unsightly building would like it replaced with an indoor market.

Bradley Way I would support the proposed parking bays to encourage people to stop off at Rochford, but believe we need additional signage to advertise the facilities Rochford has. The sight of backs of buildings does not welcome you in to explore our town.

Reservoir This area and the green space alongside it need an improved access many are prevented from using this valuable green space by the difficulty of crossing the very busy Bradley Way. I would also like to see better pathways around the green space so those with child buggies or in wheelchairs will find it easier to use this space. It also needs a kiosk/toilets and a better link to the Station.

Station I would support improvements to the station frontage I would like to see the car park altered so that visitors are welcomed by a better vista than rows of cars. Again the Station should advertise Rochford I would like to see images of Rochford's History together with Nature Trail signs of the many local walks and green spaces Rochford has to offer.

Whittingham's I strongly oppose the relocation of this business. This family business has served many generations of residents; we should celebrate the history of this business from Coach to Car. Tidying the façade of this building is all that is required.